BJP-Sena ally benefitted from Atal Behari Vajpayee-Bal Thackeray

Mumbai: Former Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee and Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray respected each other, due to which the alliance between the two parties had a smooth sailing, compared to the frosty ties now.

“Even as PM Vajpayee was in constant touch with Thackeray and always discussed various issues,” Sena MP Sanjay Raut said.

Vajpayee, who passed away today following prolonged illness, shared a “relation of comfort and warmth” with Thackeray, Raut said.

Senior journalist Ambarish Mishra said Thackeray had a “high regard” for Vajpayee. “During the joint rallies they addressed, Thackeray would always speak before Vajpayee,” he said.